Salat Buddy Prayer Aid

ABSTRACT

A compact, portable prayer aid is provided for assisting worshippers with performing the mandatory Islamic prayers. The aid relieves pressure from the knees, legs, and ankles, by shifting weight away from the lower body and onto the lower back and buttocks. The aid includes a seat, a base, and at least one support structure. Said support structures are designed to form a built-in storage area for storing items during prayer. An alternate embodiment includes collapsible legs for easy transport. A second alternate embodiment includes shock absorbers, a compass for geographic directional support, and a sensor and a screen for counting and displaying the number of units performed. A third alternate embodiment includes foldable legs. A fourth alternate embodiment provides adjustable legs to accommodate for different heights and reduced knee flexion capabilities. A fifth alternate embodiment includes detachable, adjustable legs comprised of smaller sectional pieces.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to seats and stools for assistance withkneeling, particularly related to providing support for worshippersduring the Islamic ritual prayers.

The Islamic faith requires its followers to perform five daily prayersas an act of ritual worship. The prayers consist of a certain number ofunits, ranging from two to four, comprised of various physical rituals,including standing, bowing, prostrating, and kneeling. Each of the fiveprayers contains between 2-4 kneeling rituals, with short kneelingrituals between every two prostrations and long kneeling rituals afterevery two prayer units. The Islamic prayer requires fluid movements,particularly when transitioning between the prostrating, kneeling, andstanding positions. A degree of flexibility is required particularly forthe kneeling stages, where worshippers must sit in a kneeling position,resting the weight of their bodies on their knees, shins, and ankles,for several minutes. The Islamic prayer also requires congregationalworshippers to stand closely together in straight lines whileperforming, generally with the heels and shoulders in line for adjoiningworshippers; there can be no extra space in between worshippers duringthe prayer.

Flexion, the action of bending a limb or joint, plays an important rolein the flexibility of a worshipper during the Islamic prayer. Flexion ofthe knee joint ranges from 0 degrees, where the knee is fully extended,to approximately 155 degrees, where the knee is fully bent and the calfcomes into contact with the back of the thigh. The Islamic prayerrequires worshippers to draw upon optimum flexion during the kneelingstage when worshippers rest their body weight on their knees, lowerlegs, and ankles

Many Muslim worshippers are unable to physically perform the kneelingand prostrating rituals due to old age or leg, knee, or ankle injuries,including conditions such as arthritis or joint pain which preventoptimum flexion of the knee, and are resigned to perform the prayerwhile seated in a chair. However, using a chair is not an idealsolution. When performing the Islamic prayer while seated in a chair,Muslim worshippers cannot physically perform all the mandatory ritualsand stages of the prayer, including the kneeling and prostrating stages;they can only mimic the general motions of kneeling and prostrating.They are thus unable to get the full spiritual experience derived fromperforming the various rituals. Moreover, chairs pose an interference toneighboring worshippers by breaking up the prayer lines and encroachingon the space of neighboring worshippers. Worshippers praying whileseated in a chair also miss out on the feeling of unity and communitythat is meant to be derived from standing together with otherworshippers while performing congregational prayers. Worshippers who canperform those prayer rituals other than the kneeling and prostratingrituals are still forced to use a chair because no other option existsand are consequently unable to participate in the other rituals.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention, called the Salat Buddy™ Prayer Aid (the phraseSalat Buddy is a trademark of Amanath, LLC), allows worshippers withreduced flexion capability to participate in all of the Islamic prayerrituals, assists them with performing the prostrating and kneelingrituals to their maximum capacity, while simultaneously allowing thoseworshippers to remain a part of the congregation. The present inventionis designed to assist Muslim worshippers in performing the daily Islamicprayers by relieving the stress and pressure normally placed on a Muslimworshipper's knees, legs, and ankles during the prostrating and kneelingstages of the prayers, without the use of a chair.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side view of an Islamic prayer aid according to the presentinvention.

FIG. 2 is a side view of a worshipper using the present invention duringthe standing ritual of the Islamic prayer.

FIG. 3 is a side view of a worshipper using the present invention duringthe prostrating and kneeling rituals of the Islamic prayer.

FIG. 4 is a back view of a worshipper using the present invention duringthe kneeling ritual of the Islamic prayer.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the presentinvention where the aid is collapsible.

FIG. 6 is a side view of the embodiment of FIG. 5, depicting theembodiment being collapsed.

FIG. 7 is a side view of an alternate embodiment of the presentinvention including a compass for directional support, a sensor forcounting the number of prayer units performed, a screen for displayingthe directional orientation and the number of prayer units performed,and shock absorbers.

FIG. 8 is a side view of an alternate embodiment of the presentinvention including foldable legs.

FIG. 9 is a side view of an alternate embodiment of the presentinvention including vertically adjustable legs.

FIG. 10 is a front view of a vertically adjustable leg of the embodimentfrom FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 is a side view of a vertically adjustable leg of the embodimentfrom FIG. 9.

FIG. 12 is a side view of an alternate embodiment of the presentinvention including detachable, adjustable legs.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the seat and bottom base of theembodiment shown in FIG. 12.

FIG. 14 is a view of one of the legs of the embodiment shown in FIG. 12.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present Salat Buddy™ Prayer Aid invention provides for a portable,collapsible stool for aiding Muslim worshippers during performance ofthe Islamic ritual prayers.

The present invention discloses the Salat Buddy™ Prayer Aid forsupporting the weight of a worshipper during the prostrating andkneeling rituals of the Islamic prayer. When transitioning between theprostrating and kneeling positions, the Salat Buddy™ provides support toa worshipper by allowing the worshipper to shift pressure from hisknees, legs, and ankles by resting his weight on the aid instead of onhis knees, legs, and ankles, which is the normal manner of performingthe prayer. The Salat Buddy™ can support up to several hundred poundsand can be made from various materials, including wood, metal, andplastic. The Salat Buddy™ allows worshippers with compromised kneeflexion capability to actively perform the prayer rituals instead ofmimicking the rituals while seated in a chair.

Referring to FIG. 1, the prayer aid 10 comprises a generally pentagonalseat portion 11 and a generally rectangular base 12, connected viasupport structures 13 and 14. The design of the support structures 13and 14 form a built-in storage area 15 without affecting thefunctionality of the aid. The seat 11 is cushioned and molded in a splitshape for maximum worshipper comfort. The cushioning also helpsalleviate any pressure on worshippers' lower backs and on maleworshippers' prostrates. The tip of the seat 11 is pointed and curveddownward to allow a worshipper to smoothly and easily lean back and restonto the aid 10 when transitioning between different prayer rituals. Aworshipper begins the Islamic prayer in the standing ritual, shown inFIG. 2, then moves into the bowing ritual, followed by the prostratingand kneeling rituals shown in FIG. 3. When transitioning from aprostrating position into a seated kneeling position, a worshipperplaces his body weight on his knees, legs, and ankles. The aid 10relieves pressure from the worshipper's knees and ankles by shifting thepressure of the worshipper's weight away from his knees, legs, andankles onto his buttocks and lower back as he rests on the aid duringthe kneeling stages of the prayer. This relieving of pressure allows theworshipper to complete the essentials of the prayer even withcompromised flexion of the knees. The narrow silhouette of the SalatBuddy™ aid 10 also makes the aid unobtrusive during congregational useby allowing a worshipper to easily place the aid 10 between his legswithin his allowed prayer space, as shown in FIGS. 2-4. This isparticularly useful during congregational prayers, as it allows aworshipper to comply with the mandatory logistical and spatialformalities and easily perform the various mandatory rituals of theIslamic prayer. The narrowness and shape of the aid 10 allows aworshipper to keep his feet planted on either side of the aid 10throughout the entirety of the prayer for quick and easy transitionsbetween different stages of the prayer. The narrow shape also preventsintrusion into the space of neighboring worshippers.

The beam-shaped support structure 13 provides for easy handling andgrasping of the aid 10. A second support structure can be beam-shapedlike support structure 13 or rectangular like support structure 14, asshown in FIG. 1. A storage area 15 is defined within the confines andstructure of the aid described above. This storage area 15 is built intothe internal infrastructure of the unique Salat Buddy™ aid 10 describedabove and allows a worshipper to store items 16 typically associatedwith the Islamic prayer in an unobtrusive manner so as not to take upsurrounding prayer space and disturb neighboring worshippers. Such itemstypically include a rosary, a compact copy of the Quran, a prayer scarffor female worshippers, or a prayer cap for male worshippers. Thestorage area 15 can also be used for storing items such as cells phonesand water bottles during the prayer. The Salat Buddy™ aid 10 may alsocontain shock absorbers 16 and 17, placed at the top ends of supportstructures 13 and 14, to provide additional ease and support to aworshipper during use of the aid 10.

FIG. 5 discloses an alternate embodiment of the present invention, wherethe aid 20 is collapsible. The seat 21 can be cushioned and molded in asplit shape for maximum worshipper comfort. The seat 21 may also becushioned to alleviate any pressure on worshippers' lower backs and onmale worshippers' prostrates. The seat 21 is connected to supportstructures 23, 24, and 25 via hinge 30, screws 26, and screw 28,respectively. The base 22 is connected to support structures 24 and 25via screws 27 and 29, respectively. Support structure 23 connects withthe base 22 via bracket 31, where it locks into place. SupportStructures 23, 24, and 25 form a built-in storage area 32 for storingprayer items, such as rosary beads, copies of the Quran, and prayerscarves and caps, as well as personal items such as cell phones andwater bottles. As shown in FIG. 6, the aid 20 can be collapsed into aflattened position by disconnecting support structure 23 from thebracket 31, folding it under the seat 21 at hinge 30, and pivoting theaid 20 upward at screws 26-29 to collapse onto base 22.

FIG. 7 discloses a second alternate embodiment 40 of the presentinvention including a compass 45 for immediate geographical support, asensor 46 for tracking the number of prayer units performed, and adisplay screen 47 for displaying the number of prayer units performed orthe current direction. Worshippers are required to face the direction ofMakkah, Saudi Arabia, when performing the Islamic prayers; a compasswill ensure that a worshipper is always facing the correct directionwherever the Salat Buddy™ aid is being used. The compass 45 can beembedded within support structures 43 or 44, or in the bottom base 42 toallow a worshipper to confirm the proper geographic direction at alltimes and make any adjustments to orientation during the prayer.Alternatively, the compass can be embedded in the back of supportstructure 44 or in the front of support structure 43, as shown in FIG.7. Support structures 43 and 44 and bottom base 42 form a built-instorage area 48 where a worshipper may store prayer or personal items.The aid 40 can also include shock absorbers 49, 50, and 51, embeddedbetween the seat 41 and support structures 43 and 44, to provideadditional support and easier transition for a worshipper.

Each Islamic prayer is comprised of at least two units and can contain amaximum of four units to be performed. The prayers can last for variousdurations, depending on the number and length of Quranic verses aworshipper chooses to recite and the worshipper's recitation pace andspeed. Worshippers can easily lose track of the number of prayer unitsperformed and the number of units remaining to fulfill the requirementsof the prayer being performed. A sensor coupled to a screen displayingthe number of units performed will help a worshipper keep track of hisperformance without actively trying to remember and track the number ofunits performed.

As shown in FIG. 7, the aid 40 contains a sensor 46 embedded in the seat42 to detect the number of prayer units performed by counting the numberof times the worshipper rests on the aid during the kneeling ritual. Thesensor is linked to a screen 47, located on the bottom base 42, whichdisplays a number count. The count can display the number of unitsperformed by comparing the worshipper's rest count to a pre-programmedset of numbers. For example, to complete one unit of any Islamic prayer,a worshipper must perform one kneeling ritual; to complete two units ofprayer, a worshipper must perform three total kneeling rituals; tocomplete three units of prayer, a worshipper must perform four totalkneeling rituals; to complete four units of prayer, a worshipper mustperform six total kneeling rituals. Accordingly, if the sensor 46detects that the worshipper has rested on the aid one time, the screen47 will display the number “1,” indicating that the worshipper hasperformed one unit. If the sensor 46 detects that the worshipper hasrested on the aid three times, the screen 47 will display the number“2,” indicating that the worshipper has performed two units. If thesensor 46 detects that the worshipper has rested on the aid four times,the screen 47 will display the number “3,” indicating that theworshipper has performed three units. If the sensor 46 detects that theworshipper has rested on the aid six times, the screen 47 will displaythe number “4,” indicating that the worshipper has performed four units.Alternatively, the screen 47 can display simply the number count oftimes the worshipper has rested on the aid, leaving it to the worshipperto calculate the number of units performed.

The screen 47 can also be programmed to display the geographicaldirection in which the aid 40 is oriented, allowing the worshipper toadjust the orientation until the aid 40 is facing the proper direction,i.e. northeast for U.S. worshippers.

FIG. 8 discloses a third alternate embodiment of the present invention,where the aid 60 is lightweight, collapsible, and includes foldablelegs. The seat 61 is supported by two sets of u-shaped legs 62 and 63,pivotally connected via brackets 64 and 65 to the underside of seat 61.The legs 62 and 63 can be placed in an open or folded position as shown,employing a mechanism similar to that used in a folding table. When thelegs 62 and 63 are folded, the aid 60 becomes compact and can be easilystored or transported. A storage area made from netting or mesh-likematerial may be attached to the bottom ends of legs 62 and 63. When thelegs 62 and 63 are opened and locked into place, the netting 66 expandsto form a storage area 67. The seat 61 and legs 62 and 63 can be madefrom a lightweight material, such as a sturdy plastic or light metal.The seat 61 can be cushioned for maximum comfort and to help relieve thepressure on a worshipper's lower back.

FIG. 9 discloses an alternate embodiment of the present invention wherethe aid 70 includes adjustable legs. The seat 71 and the base 72 areconnected via three adjustable support structures, each containing outerand inner housings. Support structures 73, 74, and 75 can be adjustedaccording to a worshipper's desired height and knee flexion capabilityand restrictions by depressing spring-loaded levers 82, 83, and 84,attached to inner housings 76, 77, 78.

Referring to FIGS. 10 and 11, inner housings 76, 77, and 78 each containa set of retractable pins 79, 80, and 81. The outer housings of legs 73,74, 75 each contain a set of apertures 86, 87, 88, respectively, forreceiving pins 79, 80, and 81. Levers 82, 83, and 84 control therefraction and release of pins 79, 80, and 81. When the levers aredepressed, pins 79, 80, 81 retract into inner housings 76, 77, and 78,and the legs 73, 74, 75 can be vertically adjusted and positioned at thedesired height. When the levers 82, 83, and 84 are released, pins 79,80, 81 are released into receiving apertures 86, 87, and 88, causinglegs 73, 74, 75 to lock into position at the selected height. Theadjustability of the support structures allows for worshippers withcompromised knee flexion ranges to set the seat at a height mostsuitable to their personal needs and flexion capabilities. This featureis useful for elderly worshippers or worshippers with lower bodyinjuries and is particularly helpful for worshippers who are engaged inrehabilitative activities for knee, leg, or ankle injuries, who candecrease the height of the aid as their flexion capability increases.The seat 71 can be cushioned and molded in a split shape for maximumworshipper comfort. The cushioning also helps alleviate any pressure onworshippers' lower backs and on male worshippers' prostrates.

FIG. 12 discloses yet another embodiment of the present invention wherethe aid 90 includes adjustable, detachable legs. As shown in FIG. 13,the underside of seat 91 contains three apertures 96, 97, and 98 forreceiving the top ends of legs 93, 94, and 95, respectively. The base 92contains three peg-like protrusions 99, 100, and 101, for connecting tothe bottom ends of legs 93, 94, and 95, respectively. As shown in FIG.14, legs 93, 94, and 95 are comprised of smaller sectional pieces suchas 93 a and 93 b. Each sectional piece comprises a peg-like protrusionat the top end and a peg-shaped aperture at the bottom end. Thus, theheight of the legs 93-95 can be adjusted by adding or removing one ormore sectional piece according to a worshipper's preference. Todismantle the aid 90, the legs 93-95 can be easily detached fromapertures 96-98 and protrusions 99-101. The seat 91 can then be attachedto the base 92 for easy storage and portability by inserting protrusions99-101 into apertures 96-98. This embodiment can be made from variousmaterials, including wood, plastic, or metal.

What is claimed is:
 1. A compact, portable stool for aiding andsupporting a worshipper during the prostrating and kneeling rituals ofthe Islamic prayer comprising: a seat portion; a bottom base; and atleast one support structure connecting said top and bottom base; whereinsaid stool relieves pressure placed on said worshipper's knees, legs,and ankles during said prostrating and kneeling rituals by shifting saidworshipper's weight from the knees, legs, and ankles, to said seatportion and accommodating for compromised knee flexion capability. 2.The stool of claim 1, wherein said seat is cushioned and molded into asplit seat to provide comfort for said worshipper and to alleviate anypressure placed on said worshipper's lower back while resting on saidstool.
 3. The stool of claim 2, wherein said at least one supportstructure comprises a first support structure and a second supportstructure.
 4. The stool of claim 3, wherein said first and secondsupport structures are designed to form a built-in storage area forstoring prayer and personal items during performance of said prayerrituals.
 5. The stool of claim 4, further comprising at least two shockabsorbers placed between said seat portion and said first and secondsupport structures for said worshipper's additional lower back andprostrate support.
 6. The stool of claim 5, further comprising a compassfor detecting the proper directional orientation of said worshipperaccording to the mandates of the Islamic faith.
 7. The stool of claim 6,further comprising a sensor for counting the number of prayer unitsperformed and a screen coupled to said sensor for displaying saiddirectional orientation and said number of prayer units performed.
 8. Acollapsible stool for aiding and supporting a worshipper during theprostrating and kneeling rituals of the Islamic prayer, comprising: aseat portion; a bottom base; and at least two support structuresconnected to said seat portion 2 and bottom base via a set of screws;wherein said stool can be collapsed into a flattened position by foldingsaid support structures along said screws for easy storage andtransport; and wherein said stool relieves pressure placed on saidworshipper's knees, legs, and ankles during said prostrating andkneeling rituals by shifting said worshipper's weight from the knees,legs, and ankles, to said seat portion and accommodating for compromisedknee flexion capability.
 9. The stool of claim 8, wherein said seat iscushioned and molded into a split seat to provide comfort for saidworshipper and to alleviate any pressure placed on said worshipper'slower back while resting on said stool.
 10. The stool of claim 9,wherein said support structures are designed to form a built-in storagearea for storing prayer and personal items during performance of saidprayer rituals.
 11. A compact, traveling stool for aiding and supportinga worshipper during the prostrating and kneeling rituals of the Islamicprayer, comprising: a seat portion; a first u-shaped support structures;and a second u-shaped support structure; wherein said first and secondsupport structures are pivotally connected to the underside of said seatportion and can be positioned in an open position or folded position;and wherein said stool relieves pressure placed on said worshipper'sknees, legs, and ankles during said prostrating and kneeling rituals byshifting said worshipper's weight from the knees, legs, and ankles, tosaid seat portion and accommodating for compromised knee flexioncapability.
 12. The stool of claim 11, wherein said seat portion iscushioned and molded into a split seat to provide comfort for saidworshipper and to alleviate any pressure placed on said worshipper'slower back while resting on said stool.
 13. The stool of claim 12,further comprising a netting or mesh-like material connected to thebottom ends of said first and second support structures, said netting ormesh-like material expanding to form a storage area when said first andsecond support structures are positioned in an open position, andcollapsing when said u-shaped structures are positioned in a foldingposition.
 14. A compact, portable, adjustable stool for aiding andsupporting a worshipper during the prostrating and kneeling rituals ofthe Islamic prayer comprising: a seat portion; a bottom base; at leasttwo support structures each comprising outer and inner tubular housings,wherein said inner tubular housings each include a set of retractablepins and said outer tubular housings each include a set of apertures forreceiving said retractable pins; and at least two adjustment levers forcontrolling retraction of said retractable pins; wherein said adjustmentlevers can be depressed to retract said pins to allow for verticaladjustment of said support structures and released to insert said pinsinto said apertures to lock said support structures into a desiredposition; and wherein said stool relieves pressure placed on saidworshipper's knees, legs, and ankles during said prostrating andkneeling rituals by shifting said worshipper's weight from the knees,legs, and ankles, to said seat portion and accommodating for compromisedknee flexion capability.
 15. A compact, portable, adjustable stool foraiding and supporting a worshipper during the prostrating and kneelingrituals of the Islamic prayer comprising: a seat portion; a bottom base;and at least two detachable legs comprised of multiple sectional pieces,wherein each sectional piece contains a peg-like protrusion and apeg-shaped aperture, and wherein said sectional pieces can be added orremoved to adjust the length of said detachable legs according to aworshipper's preference; wherein said stool relieves pressure placed onsaid worshipper's knees, legs, and ankles during said prostrating andkneeling rituals by shifting said worshipper's weight from the knees,legs, and ankles, to said seat portion and accommodating for compromisedknee flexion capability.
 16. The stool of claim 15 wherein said seatportion includes at least two peg-shaped apertures and said bottom baseincludes at least two peg-like protrusions, and wherein said apertureson said seat portion and protrusions on said bottom base can beconnected to store said stool while disassembled.